Roads from the Ashes

“This is a book to stir dreams of distant places, a remarkable journey down unknown roads of travel and self-exploration. Edwards relates the stories of their American adventures and misadventures in the compelling style of a novelist, with humor, drama and brilliant imagery… A journey worth taking.”

—Al Martinez, Los Angeles Times

“Edwards is a fine, unpretentious writer with a journalist’s nose for a good story. An inspiration…”

—Chicago Tribune

“From the mountains to Manhattan, this tapestry of life on the road weaves the best of travel, technology, survival skills, and relationships into an engaging work of art.

Caution: Funny Signs Ahead

“Fun signs from the side of the road, shop fronts and those wonderfully-American boards where they can change the message every day. From the rude (Beaver Liquor Inc.), through unthinking juxtapositions (Cemetery Lane / Dead End) to the plain unfathomable (Cat Crap), this is a great read and an even better gift.

—Peter Thody, Leeds, UK

“Caution: Funny Signs Ahead is an extensive collection of bizarre, humorous, and otherwise visually-arresting signs rounded up for your enjoyment. This roadie’s personal favorites include ‘No Smoking on Campus Prohibited’ and ‘Brakeless Trucks Use Freeway'”

I look into his eyes. He meets my gaze. I widen my eyes. He widens his. I reach toward him to straighten his glasses. He blinks.
I sing to him.
My Bonnie lies over the ocean.
His eyes focus on my lips, watching them form the words. A few lines in, he smiles.
There was a farmer had a dog.
No reaction.
And Bingo was his name-o.
Again, he smiles a few lines in.
When I clap, he laughs. When I clap again, tears roll down his cheeks.
I think I can recognize joy when I see it, but he cannot tell me with words. He has no words — hasn’t had any words for at least four years.
We take him to a bluegrass concert in the park. ... (more...)

To kick 2014 off creatively -- and to make use of a stack of old vertical window blinds -- I decided to set myself the challenge of painting a picture every day for the month of January. I've displayed them here at their actual size: three-and-a-half by five inches. If you click on them, you'll see a much bigger version.
January 31: "school's Out!"
January 30: "Still Life with Black Beans"
January 29: "Through the Tunnel to Parts West"... (more...)